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James Halliday’s Review: The economical name is appropriate for a business that started with 1 tonne of grapes making two hogsheads of wine in 2001. Shiraz was purchased from Jason Schwarz’s parents’ vineyard in Bethany, the vines planted in 1968; the following year half a tonne of grenache was added, once again purchased from the parents. In ’05, grape sale agreements with another (larger) winery were terminated, freeing up 1.8ha of shiraz and 0.8ha of grenache. From this point on things moved more quickly: in ’06 Jason formed a partnership (Biscay Road Vintners) with Peter Schell of Spinifex, giving them total control over production. Jason Schwarz’s wines taste of the vineyards where the grapes are grown. And he’s got a good eye for finding great vineyards… both Jason’s father and his grandfather were state pruning champions, he grew up among the vines on the family property at Bethany and he’s worked alongside some of the Barossa’s best-known grape growers and winemakers. A shed-load of experience has taught him that once you find great fruit you look after it with a light touch. “I like the fruit to speak for itself,” Jason says.

The Nitschke Road Shiraz block was planted by my mother and father in 1968 in Bethany near the base of the Eastern Barossa Range. The vineyard is still pruned and picked by hand and the soils of loam over brown and red clays results in a wine of considerable concentration and drive.

Rich, opulent fruit is the reoccurring theme with this vineyard and it always seems to show great balance and texture year in, year out.

The Nitschke Block Shiraz was the first wine made by Jason Schwarz back in 2001.